Leo ran all the way to the Duke's office. Without knocking, he kicked the door open and quickly shut it behind him.
After catching his breath, he turned around, intending to find Leosli and get to work—only to come face to face with him. Leosli was standing just a finger's width away, calmly holding a teacup.
"Is something wrong with you?" Leosli asked, raising a brow.
Sliding past him, Leo collapsed into a chair and muttered, "Who in their right mind stands posing like that in front of people?"
"You're the one acting strange. Where's Lady Furina? Didn't she come with you?"
"I ran ahead… she shouldn't have caught up. I think."
Leosli was speechless. Think? What's that supposed to mean?
Neuvillette had clearly instructed that this matter must not be revealed to Furina. But given the situation now, hiding it was impossible.
And it was all because of that brat Leo! If he had to leave, why drag the Hydro Archon along?
Leosli's sharp gaze fixed on him. Feeling awkward, Leo rubbed his eyes, feigning confusion.
"Why are you staring at me? Do I have dirt on my face?"
"No. I just want to know when you're finally getting to work."
"Right now."
Leosli frowned. It was strange—why was Leo suddenly so motivated? In the past, every time they had to reinforce the seal, he had dragged his feet.
"I'll leave once I finish strengthening the seal," Leo added.
"Leaving already? Weren't you going fishing?"
Scratching his head, Leo admitted, "I accidentally made Lady Furina angry. She told me I have to accompany her on a trip."
Leosli's eyes narrowed, and his lips curved into an almost mischievous smile.
Oh~ going on a trip with the Archon herself, are we?
"As expected of you, my friend. A personal outing with Lady Furina… I wouldn't be surprised if you end up with a selfie from the Hydro Archon herself—or perhaps even a bracelet?"
"What are you talking about?" Leo was baffled. Leosli had been giving him and Furina the strangest looks today, and he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
Waving him off, Leosli pressed a switch, opening the tunnel below. "Never mind. Let's go."
Descending into the underground passage, Leo was immediately hit with a suffocating wave of damp, mineral-laced air. Covering his nose, he muttered, "The elemental fluctuations are getting stronger. Even the walls are wet."
Leosli, walking ahead, studied the pipes and machinery with a worried expression. "Yes. I don't know how much longer this place will hold. I just hope… the prophecy doesn't come true too soon."
For most citizens of Fontaine, the prophecy was little more than a legend—a tale to frighten children. But for those in higher positions, especially Leosli, it was a sword dangling by a single thread above their heads.
"Whatever happens," Leo said grimly, "it can't happen now."
"…Agreed."
Meanwhile, Furina, waiting in vain for Leo to return, had grown impatient. She had already packed her luggage and was expecting him to carry it.
She knocked on the Duke's door. No answer.
Tilting her head, she tapped her chin, then tried again. Still nothing.
Strange…
Rather than leave, Furina simply pushed the door open. I am the Hydro Archon of Fontaine. It's perfectly reasonable for me to enter the office of a mere subordinate.
But inside, the spacious office was empty—save for an open underground passage.
Furina's heart skipped. What are those two up to?
She hesitated, but worry got the better of her. What if that fool Leo was being tricked—or worse, sold off—by Leosli? Steeling herself, she stepped inside.
Deep within the core chamber, Leo examined the reinforced pressure valves with surprise.
"So many reinforcements this year? Last time, half of this place was empty."
He pointed to the surrounding iron walls, astonished by the forest of new support pillars.
"Yes. The reinforcements keep multiplying," Leosli muttered. "I'm not sure even this will be enough to suppress the energy within."
They glanced at the temporarily stable gauges. Then, side by side, both extended their hands. Their Cryo Visions gleamed, releasing pure streams of ice elemental energy. White-blue frost spread across the hall, coating the valves and sealing the unstable flows.
When it was done, Leo wiped sweat from his brow, still uneasy.
"Don't look too relieved," Leosli warned. "If it ever erupts, our ice will only freeze it for a moment. A single moment."
"It'll have to do. For now." Leo straightened. "What about your grand ship? How's construction?"
Leosli gestured toward a nearby glass window. "Still underway. But I fear—"
A sound echoed down the passage.
"Who's there?" Leo spun toward the darkness, sword in hand.
Leosli's eyes hardened. He clenched his fists and charged forward, with Leo close behind.
The secrets hidden here must never fall into the wrong hands—especially not the prisoners of Merope's Fortress.
At that moment, Furina, who had been wandering nearby, perked up at the sound of voices. Her face lit up when she heard Leo's familiar tone. She was about to leap out to surprise him when his sudden, icy "Who?" rang out, filled with killing intent.
Her whole body froze.
Before she could move, both Leosli and Leo stormed toward her, weapons gleaming with cold white light.
They're coming for me?!
Panic took over, and Furina turned on her heel, bolting away at full speed. No matter how hard they chased, neither Leo nor Leosli could catch her.
When they burst back into the office, panting, they found it empty. Prisoners from the fortress passed by in the corridors, oblivious, while the two men stood with weapons raised.
"Why was that person running so fast?" Leo muttered, confused. "Is there really someone like that in Merope's Fortress?"
Leosli was equally baffled. He couldn't recall anyone in the fortress who could move so quickly—fast enough to vanish from sight in the blink of an eye.
"Eh? Duke, Leo? Why do you both look so murderous? Did you have a fight? Should I help mediate?"
Skipping toward them, the cheerful head nurse Sigewinne tilted her head curiously.
Leosli lowered his fists and asked, "Head nurse, did you see anyone run out of this office just now?"
Without hesitation, Sigewinne shook her head. "Nope! But I did see Lady Furina rush back to her room a moment ago."
At her words, Leosli shot a look at Leo and spread his hands.
Case closed.
Who else would dare barge into his office without permission? Of course it was Furina.
Leo, however, still looked lost.
"Lady Furina? Running? But… she doesn't even like moving around much…" He sheathed his sword, clearly bewildered.
Sigewinne blinked, then caught Leosli's eye. In an instant, she pieced it together.
So the mysterious intruder was Lady Furina herself…
"I don't know! Why don't you go check on her, Leo? I actually need to speak with the Duke anyway."
Nodding, Leo darted off toward Furina's quarters, running just as fast as when he had been chasing the unknown figure.
As he disappeared down the hall, Sigewinne placed her hands on her hips and chuckled.
"Leo is just too cute. Even if he doesn't get it, I figured it out right away. Innocent, clueless, and absolutely adorable."